The Alberta Health Services Board announced Tuesday the current Interim President and CEO has officially been given that position.
“Dr. Yiu was chosen because she is the best person for the job,” said Board Chair Linda Hughes in a statement. “It’s an added bonus that she is known and respected within AHS and across the province. Her appointment provides the organization with stability and continuity, and also demonstrates the talent pool within the organization’s leadership.”
Sarah Hoffman, Alberta’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, also showed her support:
Congrats @dryiu_verna! I'm so pleased you've been named AHS President/CEO.I look forward to continuing to work in partnership. @AHS_media
— Sarah Hoffman (@shoffmanAB) May 31, 2016
Dr. Yiu has been the Interim President and CEO of AHS since January 2016. Dr. Yiu initially joined AHS back in 2012, working as Vice President, Quality and Chief Medical Officer. Prior to that, she worked at the University of Alberta as the interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
“I’ve always believed that if you focus on quality, savings will follow because you can avoid the significant costs associated with return emergency department visits and hospital admissions,” Dr. Yiu said in a statement. “Albertans expect outstanding care from AHS, and they expect us to get good value from every health dollar. We will deliver on both counts.”
On top of her current position, Dr. Yiu maintains an active practice as a pediatric nephrologist.
Dr. Yiu will remain as President and CEO for five years, with an option to extend. Her annual salary is $573,841.
She will begin her new role on June 3.